Suffolk man reunites with family thanks to MyHeritage test

A few years ago, Neil Gedny, 69, started looking for the paternal side of his family and will finally meet more than 50 newfound family members this weekend. 

The Wickham Market man was raised by his maternal grandparents, while his mother was partly present. 

Neil Gedny with his wife Annie, MyHeritage (Image: MyHeritage)

Mr Gedny knew nothing about his father, and for most of his life he had no interest in finding out.  

Close to his retirement, he began researching on his own and worked out that his father, Bobbie Joe Allen (1933-1990), was stationed at a US Air Force base in Suffolk during the early 1950s. 

Neil Gedny's father, Bobbie Joe Allen, MyHeritage (Image: MyHeritage)

He was already father to Paulette and Phillip (1951-1992) when he met Mr Gedny’s mother, Evelyn, now 91, who has confirmed the story.  

After he returned to the US, Peter and Bill were also born, all with the same wife. 

Mr Gedny’s uncle also served in the army and was stationed in Woodbridge. 

The Suffolk man said: "It’s most possible we crossed each other's way as he lived eight to 10 miles from where I grew up and went to school."  

The family will reunite this Saturday, April 29, and Mr Gedny will meet his half-siblings, Bill, 63, Paulette, 73, and Peter, 65. 

Neil Gedny's half-sister, Paulette, MyHeritage (Image: MyHeritage)

Mr Gedny said it would be "an emotional day" for the family, as they embarked on a new journey together, finally getting to know each other. 

This reunion would not be possible without the at-home MyHeritage DNA test, which matched him with his half-siblings, Bill and Paulette.

Mr Gedny and his wife Annie are in Arkansas, US, waiting to meet his newfound biological family. 

Neil Gedny's half-brother, Bill, MyHeritage (Image: MyHeritage)

The Suffolk man said: "I’m looking forward to meeting a lot more of my family.   

"It was two years ago I got my DNA back from MyHeritage. My half-brother and half-sister had used the same site in the hope of finding me, which was an amazing moment in my life." 

Neil Gedny in the 50s, MyHeritage (Image: MyHeritage)

The long-awaited visit was delayed due to COVID, and emotions are now running high for the big day, where 50-60 relatives from different parts of the US, such as San Francisco, North Carolina and Montana are expected to attend and welcome the Suffolk man.